As a follow up to Mayu’s trip to the U.S. Social Forum last week, here is a quick photoblog. Detroit was beautiful and sunny, and the 17,000 USSF attendees nicely complemented Hart Plaza and its surroundings. Mayu attended several workshops dealing with Fair Trade, sustainability, and the “solidarity economy.”. The workshops were very dynamic and marked by a high level of comments and involvement from the participants. All types of folks from far and near were present, young and old, rich and poor, housed and homeless, capitalists and communists. Several buildings in the Motor City played host to the “Un-Conference,” including the mighty Cobo Hall, to the tiny Woodward Academy. Detroit proved a gracious and welcoming host to this congregation of activists. Thank you, Detroit, for a refreshing, engaging, and rewarding experience! (Thanks, too, for the balmy weather!)
Posts Tagged ‘Solidarity Economy’
USSF FOLLOW UP: FAIR TRADE AND SOLIDARITY
Wednesday, June 30th, 2010DEDICATION TO FAIR TRADE AT U.S. SOCIAL FORUM 2010
Monday, June 21st, 2010This week marks the second United States Social Forum, a gathering of activists, organizers, working people, poor people, and indigenous people from across the country. The aim of the Social Forum is to provide community leaders with the tools and knowledge to affect change in their cities, states, and countries. Known as the “Unconference,” the forum features a series of workshops, plenaries, work projects and arts & culture events. The workshops will discuss issues as diverse as race, social justice, sustainability, international relations, history, worker’s rights, and Fair Trade.
This year’s Social Forum will be held June 22-26 in Detroit, Michigan. Mayu will be attending the event, with a special focus on the events related to Fair Trade and the idea of a “solidarity economy”, of which Fair Trade practices form a part. Mayu is very excited to be a part of the Social Forum, for us it forms an important precursor to the landmark Fair Trade Futures Conference in September. For a follow-up on the U.S. Social Forum, stay tuned to Mayu’s blog, Twitter, and Facebook for more on human rights, fair trade, and development news!






